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Delayed rollout not a solution to failing UC, says Commons committee

The introduction of Universal Credit is causing unacceptable hardship and difficulties for many of the claimants it was designed to help, according to Parliament oldest select committee.

The Public Accounts Committee, on which Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan sits, has condemned the Government’s approach to its Universal Credit roll-out as dismissive and opaque.

Mr Morgan and his colleagues reported that the DWP has persistently dismissed evidence that Universal Credit is causing hardship for claimants and additional burdens for local organisations, and refuses to measure what it does not want to see.

In 2013 the Committee raised concerns about the Department’s culture of reporting good news and denying problems that emerge. In further reports in 2015 and 2016 the Committee warned about the Department’s continued lack of transparency.

The PAC also said that the recent announcement by the SoS of a further delay and a “slow and measured” approach to the rollout is not a solution on its own and the SoS has admitted that some claimants will be worse off under UC.

If the current problems are not addressed and the funding needed is not forthcoming the hardship is likely to continue. The Department needs to work with third party organisations to help shape the new programme in light of the real life experiences of recipients.

Stephen Morgan MP, said:

“Universal Credit is already rolling out in Portsmouth and this report highlights our concern about potentially disastrous consequences for low-income families.

The DWP have met genuine and urgent anxiety from vulnerable people with defensiveness and denial. Instead of looking at the evidence, they’ve attempted to defend the indefensible.

The Secretary of State has now admitted that some families will be worse off under Universal Credit. She must now accept our recommendations and the hardship her approach has already caused.”

PAC Chair, Meg Hillier MP, said:

“This report provides further damning evidence of a culture of indifference at DWP – a Department disturbingly adrift from the real-world problems of the people it is there to support.

Its apparent determination to turn a deaf ear to the concerns of claimants, frontline organisations and Parliament is of real concern. The culture needs to change. A Department in denial cannot learn from its mistakes and take the action necessary to address the desperate hardship suffered by many Universal Credit claimants.

DWP’s dismissive attitude points to a troubling pattern of behaviour in the Department – something highlighted by our recent report on errors in Employment and Support Allowance.

The Department’s painfully slow approach to correcting underpayments, years after it accepted responsibility, indicated weaknesses at the highest levels of management. We will be watching Monday’s Budget carefully and, in its formal response to this report, expect Government to take meaningful action on our recommendations.”